Posted!

Join the Conversation

This conversation is moderated according to USA TODAY's
community rules.
Please read the rules before joining the discussion.

Local black belt dreams of competing in Olympics

Nathan Vine
Published 5:59 p.m. CT March 25, 2015

Stephon Freeman is adult from state to compete in U.S. Open for taekwondo in over 10 years

Buy Photo

Stephon Freeman poses with Stephen Decker in Five Rings Martial Arts in downtown Stevens Point. Freeman, a black belt in taekwondo, hopes to one day compete in the Olympics.(Photo: Nathan Vine/Stevens Point Journal Media)Buy Photo

STEVENS POINT – Stephon Freeman started dreaming about being the next Chuck Norris or Bruce Lee when he was just a kid, but growing up in Chicago his family couldn’t afford to send him to martial arts classes.

But when Freeman arrived to attend classes at the University at Wisconsin-Stevens Point, he finally found his opportunity. He enrolled in taekwondo lessons, began learning about the Korean discipline that combines karate and other Chinese martial arts, and today he dreams not just of mastering taekwondo.

He intends to be a world champion.

Freeman, 23, is coached by Stephen Decker of Five Rings Martial Arts in downtown Stevens Point and has taken several steps toward his ultimate goal of competing on a spot for the U.S. Olympic Team for the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo.

He achieved the rank of black belt in December, then in January traveled to Orlando, Fla., to compete in the U.S. Open, one of the major taekwondo tournaments of the year. In doing so, he became the first adult athlete from Wisconsin to compete in the tournament in more than a decade.

Freeman, who competes in a 176-190 pound weight class, lost in his opening match at the U.S. Open but followed up with strong performances in other tournaments, including a first-place finish at the AAU Wisconsin State Championship earlier this month. Now Freeman has his sights set on the 2015 National Championships, which will be held in July in Austin, Texas. Decker said that if Freeman posts a top-four finish in his weight category at that event, he would be invited to the take part in the national team trials, which would put Freeman on the road to his Olympic goal.

“The national team is really an important part of reaching the Olympics,” said Decker, a fourth-degree black belt himself who is president of the Wisconsin Taekwondo Association. “At that level you are getting financial support, which is huge in terms of being able to compete in tournaments throughout the world and getting the experience you need to compete.”

Freeman, who graduated from UWSP in May 2014 with a major in fine arts and a minor in philosophy, first met Decker while he was a student on campus. Also a decathlete on the university’s track and field team, Freeman said he immediately enjoyed taekwondo once he became involved with the sport.

“I’ve always pushed myself to compete as much as I can, and felt right away like I could compete at a high level if I worked at it,” Freeman said.

Decker said Freeman has been an example for other students in his studio who are interested in taekwondo competition.

“The younger kids look up to him and get excited when he’s in the studio during their class,” Decker said.

With a full-time job as an assistant manager at Family Video, Freeman has to work to fit training four or five days a week at Decker’s studio. Decker said their primary focus is range of motion, and also making Freeman a quicker fighter who can make fast decisions during competition.

“I really enjoy working at it and getting better, and I want to see how far I can go,” Freeman said.

Nathan Vine can be reached at 715-345-2252. Find him on Twitter as @SPJNathanVine.